Have you ever been spammed with advertising sent via email? These may be intrusive messages, but really cause no harm unless they are sent in such quantity that they shut down an Internet Service Provider's system. When school networks become homes to e-mail accounts for teachers and students, who will be responsible for the e-mail sent over those data lines? What measures will administrators be able to take with an individual if they use the net for inappropriate or non educational purposes. Who will police students and teachers? How do first amendment rights apply to the Internet? These are burning issues that might convince a board of education to simply ban Internet use altogether.
Examples of school AUPs can be accessed at several Websites.
Links to examples of acceptable use policies.
Acceptable Use Policies: A Handbook
This comprehensive guide will assist administrators in developing an acceptable use policy that will fit their district needs.
Critiquing Acceptable Use Policies
What are the key
elements in an acceptable use policy? This site provides you with strategies
for assessing the qualities that make a sound policy.
NEA Focus on Technology: Acceptable Use
This article from the National Education Association outlines the important elements that should be considered when designing and acceptable use policy.
The Responsible Netizen has been established to provide outreach services addressing issues of the safe and responsible use of the Internet. Their goal is to provide guidance to parents, educators, librarians, policy-makers, and others regarding effective, empowerment strategies to assist young people in gaining the knowledge, skills, motivation, and self-control to use the Internet and other information technologies in a safe and responsible manner.
Writing Acceptable Use Policies
A model for writing an AUP is provided by the Southern Indiana Education Center.
